What is Lowbrow Art or Pop Surrealism?

Lowbrow art, also called Pop Surrealism, is an underground visual art movement that emerged from Los Angeles in the late 1970s. It draws from underground comics, punk music, hot rod culture, and Surrealism to create accessible, often humorous or dark imagery. Key historical figures include Robert Williams, while contemporary masters like Mark Ryden, Camille Rose Garcia, and Marion Peck continue pushing the genre forward. The movement deliberately embraces ‘low’ culture references and rejects traditional fine art hierarchies while maintaining exceptional technical skill. Pop Surrealism often features big-eyed figures, vintage imagery, candy-colored palettes, and dark undertones that subvert nostalgic aesthetics. Discover contemporary Lowbrow and Pop Surrealism artists featured on Surrealism Today.